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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The dedicated service and immeasurable sacrifice of |
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our nation's military personnel are being recognized on May 16, |
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2009, as Americans observe this country's 59th annual Armed Forces |
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Day; and |
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WHEREAS, Before 1950, separate days had been set aside to |
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honor the branches of the armed forces individually; the |
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establishment of a single observance followed the combining in 1947 |
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of the Departments of War and Navy into one entity, the National |
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Military Establishment, which two years later became known as the |
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Department of Defense; and |
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WHEREAS, Members of the army, navy, marines, air force, and |
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coast guard are justly proud of the heroic records forged by those |
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branches and by their continuing contributions to the security of |
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American citizens at home and abroad; and |
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WHEREAS, The U.S. Army was established on June 14, 1775, when |
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the Second Continental Congress authorized the formation of 10 |
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companies of riflemen; from the American Revolution to the present |
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operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the army has furnished the |
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majority of American ground troops when the country has taken up |
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arms; today this service is composed of a number of basic branches, |
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including Infantry, Military Intelligence, Aviation, the Corps of |
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Engineers, and Special Forces, and such special branches as the |
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Army Medical Department, Chaplains, and Judge Advocate General's |
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Corps; and |
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WHEREAS, On October 13, 1775, the Second Continental Congress |
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called for the fitting out of two warships, thereby founding the |
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Continental Navy; although disbanded following the conclusion of |
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the Revolutionary War, this service was reestablished with the |
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creation of the Department of the Navy on April 30, 1798, and today, |
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naval personnel ensure the defense of the nation by sea and give |
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seaborne support to the other military forces; and |
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WHEREAS, A month after the Continental Congress authorized |
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the procurement and dispatching of the navy's first ships, it |
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passed a resolution, on November 10, 1775, calling for the raising |
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of two marine battalions; the Marine Corps disbanded, like the |
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navy, following the War of Independence, but it was reestablished |
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on July 11, 1798; a separate service within the Department of the |
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Navy, the Marine Corps prepares for counterinsurgency, guerilla, |
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and amphibious warfare and commando operations; and |
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WHEREAS, The U.S. Air Force, which became a separate branch |
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within the Department of Defense on September 18, 1947, had its |
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genesis in the 1907 creation of an aeronautical division within the |
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U.S. Army Signal Corps; military aviation subsequently achieved |
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widespread recognition during World War I, when planes proved their |
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effectiveness in reconnaissance and bombing missions, and air power |
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became a crucial factor in World War II, during which time the U.S. |
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Army Air Forces emerged as the most powerful air force in the world; |
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today's air force defends the country in the realms of air, space, |
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and cyberspace; and |
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WHEREAS, Now part of the Department of Homeland Security, the |
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U.S. Coast Guard has assumed many duties throughout its history, |
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from protecting against pirates to intercepting contraband, |
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conducting search and rescue operations, responding to oil spills, |
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and licensing and certifying all U.S. maritime personnel; its |
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wide-ranging wartime service has included escort and patrol duty |
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and assisting amphibious landings; and |
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WHEREAS, Together with members of the reserve forces, the |
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Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard, America's active |
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duty servicemen and servicewomen are committed to maintaining the |
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nation's security and are prepared to do their utmost in defense of |
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their country and the cause of freedom; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 16, 2009, as Armed Forces Day and |
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extend to all the members of the nation's military profound |
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appreciation for their steadfast and courageous efforts in our |
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country's behalf. |
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Gattis |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 918 was adopted by the House on May |
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14, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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